1 . Sometimes trees can be a little too respectful of one another’s boundaries. Or maybe they just stop growing when they get too close. The phenomenon is called crown (树冠) shyness-the tops of individual trees do not touch each other, creating a visible gap between the tree crowns.

Experts aren’t exactly sure why the naturally occurring phenomenon happens, but they’ve been studying it for decades and have a few theories. In 1955 a biologist Putz noticed that the trees, which grow close together, can rub against each other when the wind is strong enough. The resulting abrasion (磨损) helps form and maintain the shyness gaps. In 1986, this theory was backed up by Dr. Miguel Franco, who noticed that the branches of Picea sitchensis and Larix kaempferi trees suffered physical damage during abrasion, which killed the leading branches. The presence of broken tips at the points where branches meet lends support to the abrasion theory.

However, one Malaysian scholar suggests that shyness gaps result from the influences individual trees have on one another. Trees cannot move, so if they have nearby neighbors, they are forced to compete for resources, especially light. According to this theory, each tree forces its neighbors into a pattern that maximizes resource collection and minimizes harmful competition. Trees grow in the direction of light, so branches would naturally try to avoid other plants that could shade them or prevent their growth, creating a gap between the tree crowns.

Another possible reason for crown shyness is to prevent the spread of harmful insects, which could eat the tree’s leaves. Still someone believes the best scientific explanation so far is that the leaves of the tree release certain chemicals to stop other trees from growing too close.

The answer could be just one of the above, or a combination of more. But some species have been adapted to take advantage of crown shyness to grow into shapes that go well with nearby trees and therefore economic profits can be maximized out of the phenomenon.

1. What is crown shyness according to the text?

A．A behavior exhibited by insects in the crown of trees.

B．A disease that affects the leaves of certain tree species.

C．A phenomenon where trees grow taller than surrounding ones.

D．An occurrence where crowns of trees avoid touching each other.

2. What is Miguel Franco’s attitude towards Putz’s theory?

A．Supportive.

B．Critical.

C．Tolerant.

D．Uncertain.

3. Which of the following may cause crown shyness according to Paragraph 3?

A．The blowing wind effect.	B．The release of a special chemical.
C．A natural way of shade avoidance.	D．An adaptation to stop insect spreading.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．A further explanation of the theoretic framework.

B．Supporting evidence for the research conclusions.

C．A reasonable doubt about the research implications.

D．Practical application of crown shyness phenomenon.

2 . 选词填空

be absorbed in       be determined to       find oneself glued to       live up to         ticks all the right boxes        in particular             on the edge of one’s seat

1. Many people thought she didn’t _______ Helen’s title of “the most beautiful woman in the world”.
2. Perhaps one day, readers of Scott Fitzgerald’s most admired work will _______ their screens by episodes of The Great Gatsby.
3. As soon as the curtain rose, I _______ the performance.
4. In 2013, I _______ make my dream come true.
5. The Kimberley region, _______, is unique and untouched.

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What subject is Timmy teaching now?

A．Math.

B．French.

C．Science.

2. What makes Timmy a good teacher?

A．He is hard-working.

B．He reads and writes quickly.

C．He can understand students well.

3. What do the students think of Timmy’s lessons?

A．Difficult.

B．Exciting.

C．Boring.

4. How does Timmy teach his students?

A．By asking them to read lots of books.

B．By giving them study methods.

C．By using real examples.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who had a party last Saturday?

A．Jack.

B．Linda.

C．Jenny.

2. When will the girl have to finish her homework?

A．By this Friday.

B．By this Saturday.

C．By next Monday.

3. What is the girl going to do this weekend?

A．Visit her cousin.

B．Clean her room.

C．Visit the library.

4. Where did the girl find useful information for her homework?

A．From the books.

B．From her brother.

C．From the Internet.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the time now?

A．9:30.

B．10:00.

C．10:30.

2. Who is Jack Smith?

A．A general manager.

B．A sales manager.

C．A marketing manager.

3. What will the woman do at 3:00 pm?

A．Visit the factory.

B．Taste different coffee.

C．Sign an agreement.

6 . As I reflect on my educational journey, it becomes evident that the impact of education extends far beyond the ranges of the classroom. Education has been the guiding force that has shaped not only my academic progress but also my personal development and outlook on the world around me.

From my earliest days in school, education has stimulated my intellectual curiosity and developed a deep-seated passion for learning. I remember the thrill of getting on a voyage of discovery with each new lesson, as my understanding of the world expanded through the acquisition (获得) of knowledge and the development of critical thinking skills. These experiences have not only nurtured (培养) my intellectual growth but have also equipped me with the tools to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

However, the impact of education goes beyond the field of academia. It has played a critical role in shaping my character and values, equipping me with a sense of sympathy, understanding, and respect for others. Through interactions with peers from diverse backgrounds and exposure to various perspectives, education has been beneficial in cultivating my social and emotional intelligence. It has taught me the value of cooperation, the importance of embracing diversity, and the power of empathy (共情) in making meaningful connections with others.

Furthermore, education has opened doors to opportunities that have paved the way for my future hard work. It has provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue my passions, offering a platform for personal and professional growth. The transformative potential of education is evident in the countless stories of individuals whose lives have been improved through access to quality education, breaking the barriers of social and economic inequality.

In conclusion, my journey through the fields of education has been nothing short of transformative. It has expanded my horizons, enriched my understanding of the world, and equipped me with the toots to make meaningful contributions to society. As I continue on this path of lifelong learning, I am deeply grateful for the profound impact of education on my life and remain committed to nurturing its transformative power in the lives of others.

1. According to Para. 2, how did education expand the author’s understanding of the world?

A．By equipping the author with knowledge.

B．By encouraging the author to accept others’ ideas.

C．By informing the author of latest scientific development,

D．By making the author more curious about others’perspectives.

2. What impact did education have on the author’s social and emotional intelligence?

A．It made the author competitive and individualistic.

B．It taught the author to value cooperation and varies.

C．It made it easier for the author to solve the difficulties.

D．It encourages the author to stick to his own opinion.

3. What does the passage suggest about influence of education in society in a broader sense?

A．Education has unlimited potential to make individuals’ lives more colorful.

B．Education is primarily focused on maintaining social development.

C．Education ensures better working opportunities in the future.

D．Education has the power to fight against inequality.

4. What is the topic of the passage?

A．The importance of education technology.	B．The role of author’s family education.
C．The transformative power of education.	D．The improvement of individuals’ education.

7 . L ___________ (位于) at over 5000 meters above sea level, this is the highest highway station. (根据中英文提示填空)

8 . 语法填空

Northwest China’s Tianshui spicy hot pot goes viral on social media

Tianshui malatang, a version of a spicy hot pot in northwest China’s Gansu Province, has recently gone viral on Chinese media,     1    (attract) many tourists from all over the country to taste the dish.

Malatang,     2    means ”numbingly (使麻木地) spicy soup,“ is a one-pot noodle soup with hot pot flavor. It is a tongue-numbing spicy dish loved for its    3    (satisfy) flavor and the richness of colors. Different from Sichuan cuisine, another place in Southwest China famous for     4     (it) hot pot, the secrets for tickling the taste buds come from local specialty ingredients in Tianshui－Maiji peppercorns (胡椒) and Gangu chili peppers.

According to the China News Agency, а restaurant owner in Tianshui said he has been serving more than 400 customers a day, as people from other cities and    5     (province ) drive to the city to try the malatang.

”There     6    (be) a long queue outside my restaurant recently," one shop owner said. One customer posted on Chinese social media giant Sina Weibo that she had queued for six hours     7    (get) the dish.

Many malatang shops in Tianshui have even extended their business hours to satisfy the increasing number of customers from all over the country.

Nowadays, a Tianshui spicy hot pot restaurant is    8    must-go visit in the city.     9     the same time, the local authority     10    (provide) special bus lines for tourists to help them to experience the charm of local culture.

9 . 选择合适的短语完成句子。

deal with;   remind...of...;   in case of;     take place;   regard...as...;     pick up;     as well as

1. That is why Letters from Father Christmas could be the perfect book for those who ________ Christmas ________ a special time of year.
2. Dragon Boat Festival ________ in China on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
3. Don’t forget to _________ some chicken on your way home and try this recipe out.
4. As a cross-cultural boy, he thought he could ________ all Chinese food before he came across stinky tofu.
5. The letters tell us we can share the true spirit of giving ________ enjoying the adventures of the characters.

10 . 假设你是李华，你校上周在黄山进行了一次主题为“an eco-friendly study trip”的研学旅行。你的朋友Bob对此很感兴趣，写信询问你相关情况，请你给他回信告诉他：
1.研学旅行的目的，时间，地点及参与者；
2.你对此活动的感受。
注意：字数在80词左右。
Dear Bob,
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua